Dings Crusaders 10 Pontypool 14

For the opening pre-season test of the new season, Pontypool travelled across the Severn Bridge to the Frenchay area of north Bristol and to the delightful surroundings of Shaftesbury Park, home of Dings Crusaders of English National League 1, on a fine, dry and pleasant summer’s day, writes Ray Ruddick.

Pooler played a 40-minute game against the hosts to start the afternoon’s entertainment then Dings faced another Bristol outfit, Old Redcliffians of English National League 2 West, for another 40-minute match and rounded off by Old Reds against Pontypool for the final 40.

In the first game, Dings kicked off defending the motorway end of the ground. In the sixth minute No 8 Morgan Allen, returning to the club after a successful spell with Cardiff, made a break between the home 10-metre line and 22 and he offloaded to the supporting Adam Stratton 10 metres from the goal line for the flanker to go over for the first try of the season to the left of the posts. Another returnee, outside half Kieran Meek, after the last two seasons with Ebbw Vale, slotted the conversion (0-7). Five minutes later Dings replied with an unconverted try from a driving maul, 10 metres in from the right corner (5-7).

In the 27^th minute Pooler were awarded a penalty inside the home 22. Visiting scrum half Owain Leonard took a quick tap and fed Adam Stratton who crossed for his second try near the uprights. This score was converted by Kieran Meek (5-14). Then with the final move, Dings’ pressure on Pooler’s defence was rewarded when, after they were awarded a penalty near Pontypool’s posts, play went left and Dings scored a try 10 metres in from the corner. The conversion failed and the final score was Dings Crusaders 10 Pontypool 14.

Dings Crusaders scored two unconverted tries.

Pontypool scorers: Tries by Adam Stratton (2). Conversions by Kieran Meek (2).

Old Redcliffians 7 Pontypool 28

Pontypool kicked off attacking the car park end and from the kick off Pooler’s Amosa Nove gathered the loose ball and crossed for a try, 10 metres in from the left corner - timed at 11 seconds. Kieran Meek slotted a fine conversion (0-7). In the 9^th minute Old Reds replied with a try, 15 metres in from the left corner and the extra two points were added from the tee (7-7). Four minutes later Pooler re-took the lead with a try from close range, near the posts, by last season’s skipper, No 8 Scott Matthews, easily converted by Kieran Meek (7-14).

On the half hour good handling by Pontypool resulted in a try, 15 metres in from the right corner by Kieran Meek from a move that started just inside Pooler’s half. Meek duly converted (7-21). In the final minute Pooler had a scrum five to the left of the uprights and their powerful scrum paved the way for a pushover try scored again by Scott Matthews and Kieran Meek kicked his 6^th conversion from 6 attempts as he impressed on his return to Pooler colours. Final score – Old Redcliffians 7 Pontypool 28.

Old Redcliffians scored a converted try.

Pontypool scorers: Tries by Scott Matthews (2), Amosa Nove and Kieran Meek. Conversions by Kieran Meek (4).

This was a useful workout for Pontypool against two different clubs posing different problems. It was also a good run out for the new recruits to get to know their new team mates and bed in to the playing structure. Next Saturday Pontypool are again over the border. This time it will be a first-ever meeting with Birmingham Moseley at Billesley Common, kick-off 3.00pm. The only time the clubs have opposed each other was in a first round Snelling Sevens match in 1978 when Moseley narrowly won 12-10. Then on Saturday 31 August Pooler finish off their pre-season fixtures with a trip to the Forest of Dean when they take on Cinderford at the Beavis Memorial Ground, again kick-off will be at 3.00pm.

Pontypool players who took part: Flynn Baker, Lewis Bates, Jordan Thomas, Mathew Powell, Harry Jarvis, Marcus Jones, Tye Davies, Pat Lewis, Amosa Nove, Joel Mahoney, Duan Thomas, Kieran Meek, Matthew Flanagan, Owain Leonard, Archie Lloyd, Sam Cochrane, Dan Morgan, Kelvyn Williams, Owain James, Peter Lloyd, Jacob Jeremiah, Buster Bodkin, Callum Oliver, Dan Hill, Will Gregory, Scott Matthews, Mike Herbert (captain), Callum Davies, Adam Stratton, Lewis Robey and Morgan Allen.

Referee for all three sections: Mr Ian Kay (RFU)